isbel



ISBEL, OF NEW HAVEN,

CONNECTICUT.

FASTENER 0R CATCH FOR WINDOW-BLINDS.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 1,210, dated June 29, 1839.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, MILEDEN M. IsnL, of New Haven, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Fastenings or Catches for Window Blinds and Shutters; and I hereby declare that the following is a full and correct description of my said improvement.

My invention consists in the application of a spiral spring to several of the different kinds of blind catches heretofore known and used and in certain modifications of their form, in order to adapt them to the reception and action of such a spring.

My said improvement is chiefly applicable to blind catches of two descriptions, the first kind to which it is applicable consists of a plate having holes for the screws by which it is to be attached to the blind. Through this plate is a mortise. Through this mortise passes a bar or piece of metal having a hook at each end, one to fasten the blind open when open and the other to fasten it together when shut, the hooks being one on one edge and the other on the otlier edge of said bar. This bar turns on a pivot which passes through it at some point intermediate between the two hooks. This pivot is supported by two ears which project back from the plate. On each side of the mortise is a blind catch of this description which has heretofore been made either with a flat spring or without any spring. I apply a spiral spring in the manner following, to wit, on the edge of the bar at the distance of about three-fourths of an inch from the inside of the plate I make an arm extending at right angles to the bar to the distance of about three-fourths of an inch, said arm being on that edge of the bar which inclines toward the plate when the bar is turned upon its pivot in the process of unhooking the catch. On this arm and near its extremity I make a small stud eX- tending toward the plate to the distance of about one-eighth of an inch. Directly under or opposite to this stud I insert into the plate another stud of similar size and length extending from the plate toward the former stud-the spiral spring being made of suitable size and length is then slightly compressed and set onto these studs, eacl end of the spring embracing one of the studs.

The second description of blind catch to which I apply my improvement differs from the one already described in the following particulars. The hooks are both on the same edge of the bar and the bar instead of being in one piece is divided transversely at or near the center of its length and each part is hung and turns upon its own pivot, the parts of the bar between or near the pivots being so adjusted by lapping one upon the other or otherwise that the inside hook shall act as a lever to move the outside hook. lVhile the outside hook may be moved without moving the inside hook, this kind of blind catch has heretofore been made only without springs, being calculated to be placed upon the blind in a vertical position so that the two hooks will fall and act by their own weight.

By means of my improvement in addition to other advantages it is adapted to be placed horizontally or in any other position that may be preferred. To a blind catch of this kind I apply a spiral spring in the following manner-I make an arm similar to the one before described, on the back edge of each hook at or near their respective pivots, said arms being distant from each other about three-fourths of an inch and having studs upon them as before described, which studs project from the arms toward each other. On these studs I place the spiral spring in the manner before described.

It will be perceived from the nature of the arrangement in the case of both the blind catches described Athat whenever either hook is moved backward upon its pivot the spring will be compressed and that on being permitted to return it will do so with a quick, lively and easy motion.

What I claim as my invent-ion and desire to secure by Letters Patent isl. The application of a spiral spring to the above described blind catches and the mode and manner of applying it as described whether it be done precisely in the manner specified or in any other manner substantially the same.

2. I claim also this mode of applying a spiral spring to all other blind catches to which a spiral spring may be applicable in a manner substantially the same.

MILEDE'N M. ISBEL.

In the presence of- Hnwrr JOHNSON, EDWIN MERvIN. 

